The role of a window is to increase the entry of natural light indoors but the problem lies in the fact that this task requires them to be transparent. Therefore, while the light can enter and you can see outside of your home, there’s a risk for others to see inside.
Your home is supposed to be the place where you can feel free and be yourself at all times, which is why allowing others to see inside would be a major problem. Fortunately, this is a problem that has several different solutions for you to choose from.
With that in mind and without further ado, here are several suggestions and solutions that should help you increase window privacy in your own home.
Basic requirements
Now, before we proceed, it’s crucial that we mention key factors that a window needs to fulfill. It needs to:
- Provide enough light
- Be energy-efficient
- Be secure
There are certain regulations that you’ll have to follow while making your home, which means that too small of a window coverage may not even be legal (even though it would increase privacy).
Other than this, about 10% of your home’s heat leaves through the windows, which is a major issue regarding the cost of your home’s maintenance. This means that the right choice of window and quality installation makes a world of difference.
Lastly, a window is a vantage point and an entry point, which means that it impacts the security of your home in more ways than one. In fact, just by allowing others to see inside of your own home, you’re significantly compromising your security. How? Well, by allowing others to peek inside your home and figure out the position of your security terminal, the contents of your home (including your valuables stash), as well as whether anyone’s at home, at the moment.
All in all, all three of these criteria need to be fulfilled before you start worrying about privacy.
Installing blinds
The simplest solution, and really the first solution that comes to mind is installing blinds on your windows. This is a way for you to completely obstruct the view from the outside, while still maintaining a partial influx of sunrays. You see, the blinds can be set up in a number of ways and allow you to have your cake and eat it too.
For the sake of greater convenience, you would probably want to install remote control blinds. This way, you can use these motorized blinds to obstruct the view/block natural light, without even having to leave the bed. For those who prefer to go commando while sleeping, this can provide more privacy early in the morning. It also gives you a chance to set up the light scheme within the room, while you’re still drowsy from sleep. Overall, it’s outright more convenient.
As far as the style of the blinds in question goes, you have so many options to choose from. For instance, based on the shape and mechanism, you have:
- Horizontal blinds (Venetian blinds)
- Roller blinds
- Roman blinds
- Vertical blinds
On the other hand, if you opt to make a choice of which blinds to buy based on the material, the most common options are:
- Aluminum
- Fabric
- Vinyl
- Wood
- Bamboo
While there are also some other choices like leather and faux wood out there, the above-listed five are definitely the most popular.
Curtains
Adding a curtain, any curtain will definitely increase the window privacy in your home. However, there are certain types, lengths, textures, and materials that are simply more efficient in this regard.
For instance, if we’re talking about a glass balcony door/backyard door, a floor-to-ceiling curtain is an obvious choice here. Any other curtain length would just partially obstruct the view.
If you’re looking for something that will provide you with the biggest level of privacy, what you’re looking for is a blackout curtain. The key thing is that you prioritize whether you’re looking for room darkening or room filtering. Also, this is not something that you can apply to every single room in the house. Sure, it’s a great idea for the bedroom but you should never use a blackout curtain in the living room, a kitchen, or a bathroom.
However, adding some privacy and completely obstructing outside view are not one and the same thing. Therefore, you might want to go with something different. Even a see-through curtain will partially obstruct the view and it may make the room feel less… well, claustrophobic. Keep in mind that this curtain is not the only measure that you’re taking in this regard, so combined with everything else, it should be enough.
Privacy glass
The next thing you want to consider is the window type itself. You see, privacy glass is something that can provide you with a pattern and texture that will allow for the sun to enter the room but obstruct the view. At very best, the person from the outside will be able to distinguish a silhouette of what’s inside, which should be good enough.
Replacing windows is sometimes more than necessary and you will have to make a couple of considerations in order to make the right choice.
Keep in mind that these privacy glass options come in different colors and textures. This means that they can easily become a stylistic addition to your home. The most popular pattern is a honeycomb, which comes in different colors. The end result can be quite captivating, especially with the right frame type and matching surroundings.
Outside of this, there’s also the idea of tinting the windows. You see, tinting windows on a car is illegal past a certain transparency level. However, this is because of the safety, seeing as how it would limit the field of vision of the driver. When it comes to tinting home windows, you can go as high as you want. All you would have to do is get yourself a window repairs specialist and have the windows tinted. You can go as high as 90% (although this would be a bit too much).
Additional ideas
The position of the window, whether it’s a top or bottom floor, whether it has bars or not, or if it’s obstructed by a balcony fence can also make a difference. One of the first things you should do, when considering the privacy of an already existing window is go outside and try to gaze indoors. What do you see? Then, try to change your height levels either by climbing onto something or by assuming a different posture.
From this point, you will get a great idea of what you’re working with.
Sometimes, placing a piece of furniture like a night table with a lamp/vase on it can obstruct the view enough to conceal the contents of a room. Rearranging your furniture can also help make a difference.
Keep in mind that your options, while numerous, aren’t limitless, which is why you will probably have to resort to one of the other options from this list.
Outdoor shade
Not all the solutions have to come from the inside. In fact, having an awning in front of your window will obstruct the view from higher levels inwards. Even skylights can be potentially problematic (as a vantage point) this is why skylight shades are the solution you should be looking forward to.
If we’re talking about a backyard-facing window, there’s quite a bit you can do here, as well. For instance, you could erect a structure or make a screen where you can place all the hanging planters or even grow a vine against. A backyard patio can also be covered with a shade sail, which should give you a similar effect as a retractable awning.
If we’re talking about the front yard of your home, a patio structure can obstruct the view, which should give you more privacy. Other than this, planting a tree in front of your home could fulfill this function, as well.
A tall enough fence or a hedge in front of your home could ensure that your windows are visible only from the other side. If you want the ability to look at the street from your kitchen or living room, this might be a problem. However, if obstructing the view while letting the sun in is your objective, this idea is more than viable.
In conclusion
Your choice of windows affects the quality of life inside of your home in more ways than one. First of all, it provides you with more natural light, which is great both for your mental health and the visual appeal of your home. Second, it affects the energy efficiency of the place. Third, it affects your privacy.
Now, your needs for privacy affect the function of the room in question, the location of your home, and your immediate neighborhood. Keep in mind that you want to stay in control at all times and privacy/transparency is something that you can definitely control. The above-listed six tips will give you a way to do it effortlessly.
